Topic: Leigh Anne Couch

The Clarksville Writer’s Conference: exploring writers and their work

By Debbie Boen | July 19, 2008 |

Writer Debbie Boen offers Clarksville Online readers a view of the participating authors in the recent Clarksville Writers Conference at APSU. Each author discusses the work, the ideas and influences of their writing, and suggestions for aspiring writers.

Barry Kitterman: Editor, playwright, professor of literature and author of The Baker’s Boy

Always exposing Clarksville to creative writing through his classes at APSU and the visiting writers series is Barry Kitterman. He told us the background of and read a passage in his book, The Baker’s Boy. It is a story set in Belize where we explore the world of a school teacher Tanner Johnson, who is in the Peace Corp. Taking the first steps into the school Tanner saw two boys fighting and it wasn’t even breakfast yet. He sees a boy disciplined by being beaten with a rope. The 15 boys in his class are wild birds suddenly in a cage when they are indoors. Out doors they re-energized as if fingers were in sockets. Tanner is a man who is painfully aware of his personal limitations and who, in present time, is incapable of being very responsible because of the doubt in himself. This is his story of how the past follows him.

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4th Annual Clarksville Writers’ Conference schedule announced

June 2, 2008 |

The Arts & Heritage Development Council of Clarksville, TN, is holding its 4th Annual Clarksville Writers’ Conference July 10-12 at the Morgan University Center at Austin Peay State University.

Writers and readers are encouraged to attend this three-day event which addresses a wide variety of literature, including historical fiction, journalism, poetry, biography, short stories, storytelling, writing for young adults and children, fiction and nonfiction.

Conference holders are honored to have as this year’s keynote speaker John Seigenthaler, Sr. (at left), renowned journalist, editor, publisher, political figure and current host of WNPT’s book-review program “Word on Words.”The conference banquet, held on the evening of July 11 at the Clarksville Country Club, will feature Seigenthaler and include a “Meet the Authors” reception and book signing. «Read the rest of this article»

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APSU Zone 3 authors showcased during “small press” month

By Austin Peay State University | April 13, 2008 |

Austin Peay State University’s Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts will participate in National Small Press Month, a celebration that will highlight the work of many poets and writers who are published in both independent and university-based presses.

Poets published in “Zone 3,” APSU’s literary journal, will read from their poetry collections beginning at 6 p.m., Tuesday, April 15 at Davis-Kidd Books in Green Hills. A book signing will follow the reading. The event is free and open to the public.

David Till, emeritus professor of English at APSU and the co-founder of “Zone 3,” will read from his debut collection “Oval.”

“The poems are irregular and sensual, concerned with distinct times and places, and he uses natural imagery to capture lived moments,” said Maria Browning in a review of “Oval” published in The Nashville Scene.

“It’s remarkable that he has waited until now to see a collection of his own work made available, but that long wait has given ‘Oval’ a breadth that no one would expect to find in a literary debut. Till has offered a completed journey in a first step,” Browning said. «Read the rest of this article»

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